Channel Challenges
Oct 1, 2008, By Dr. Perry Daneshgari and Heather Moore, MCA, Inc.
It's 7 a.m. at the job site, the distributor promised your delivery yesterday, and he's still not here. At 10 a.m., the truck shows up, but with only...
The Power of Information Technology
Sep 1, 2008, By Roger Kirk, Computer Guidance Corp.
Electrical contractors today face an increasingly challenging business environment, with tight margins, skilled staff shortages, and administrative demands...
Evaluating Electric Motor Repair Shops
Sep 1, 2008, By Fredrik Fränding, SKF Service Division
Electric motor failures are often caused by “in-operation” factors, such as production activities and the factory environment in which they operate....
Ready, Set Sorry, Time's Up!
Sep 1, 2008, By Michael Eby, Editor-in-Chief
Have you ever received a flyer or coupon in the mail that got you really excited, but then burst your bubble when you realized the sales date ended yesterday?...
Low-Voltage Electrical Reconditioning Standards
Sep 1, 2008,
The Professional Electrical Apparatus Recyclers League (PEARL), Aurora, Colo., recently released 40 low-voltage electrical reconditioning standards...
The Case of Overheated Transformers and Neutral Conductors
Sep 1, 2008, By Steven L. Pay, P.E., L.C., LEED AP, Finnegan Erickson Associates
Historically, typical loads of commercial power systems have been predominately linear; however, in the last few decades, a significant portion of these...
Resolving Resource Overload Issues
Sep 1, 2008, By Tom Clark, PhD, Project Success, Inc.
After the project manager has developed a detailed schedule for a new project, one nagging question typically remains...
White Paper Outlines Arc Flash Loss Prevention Program
Sep 1, 2008,
A white paper recently published by M.C. Dean, Inc., an Atlanta-based electrical construction and engineering firm, outlines six core steps businesses should follow to protect their workers and companies from arc flash explosions...
Secrets to Creating a Profit Machine
Aug 1, 2008, By Herbert M. Cannon, AEC Management Solutions, Inc.
By reinvesting profits in the company, you can provide the best working environment, equipment, training, compensation, and support for employees....
From the Forensic Files of NIOSH
Aug 1, 2008,
Few would argue that electrocution is a serious threat to electrical workers. However, it's only one of the dangers faced by this group of individuals, as evidenced by a tragedy that occurred at a Michigan vehicle transmission plant....
Advice Worth Taking
Aug 1, 2008, By Bradley Dawson, LTV Dynamics
As the owner of an electrical contracting firm, from whom do you obtain your advice?...
Credit Crunch
Aug 1, 2008, By Beck Ireland, Staff Writer
Cash flow — managing the collection of contract revenues and payments of the costs of contracted work — is a leading indicator of bankruptcy for construction contractors....
Diagnostic Trends
Aug 1, 2008, By Beck Ireland, Staff Writer
For the last 20 years, Randy Barnett, director of curriculum development, American Trainco, Englewood, Colo., has been keeping his clients up-to-date on innovations in plant maintenance. ...
The 10 Worst Grounding Mistakes You'll Ever Make
Aug 1, 2008, By David Herres, Master Electrician
Proper grounding and bonding prevent unwanted voltage on non-current-carrying metal objects, such as tool and appliance casings, raceways, and enclosures, as well as facilitate the correct operation of overcurrent devices....
Case of the Shocking Sealing Machine Sparks Feedback
Jul 1, 2008,
I thought that The Case of the Shocking Sealing Machine article, starting on page 16 of the May 2008 issue, was excellent...
The Case of the Unreliable Conveyors
Jul 1, 2008, Edited by John DeDad, Senior Director, Editorial and EC&M Development
In certain instances, system operation problems can be cyclical, many times correlating with utility or facility power system operation. Other times,...
Disaster Planning
Jun 1, 2008, By Beck Ireland, Staff Writer
On Aug. 30, 2005, Jimmy Haynes, owner of JH Haynes Electric, Gulfport, Miss., returned to his shop after weathering Hurricane Katrina...
Recession-Proofing Your Business
Jun 1, 2008, By Bradley Dawson, LTV Dynamics
It's no secret that the U.S. economy is on the brink of another recession. A faltering financial industry, escalating energy costs, and sky-high material costs all play into our economic insecurities....
Real Ways to Reduce Material Handling Costs
Jun 1, 2008, By Philip E. Nimmo IV and Heather M. Moore, MCA, Inc.
The main goal of any contractor is achieving a high-quality installation on time and on budget. According to in-house research, MCA, Inc....
Mastering Production Tracking Methodologies
Jun 1, 2008, By David Brown, D. Brown Management
The process of tracking production is arguably the most important skill a project leader can master. Whether you're a crew leader, foreman, superintendent, or project manager, learning the skills necessary for effective production tracking will help your career immensely....
